Game Week 24 Predictions: City to hammer Forest

Nottingham Forest doesn't have enough trees to stop the City bulldozers but what can we expect from the City ground? (Photo credit: Inside Sport)

 

Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City

The City Ground Stadium

4pm

There’s no magic the Forest fans can expect from this game, they would probably turn up at the stadium but with their hearts set on the next one as the champions won’t be in any generous mood after finally nicking the top spot.

Erling Haaland rounded off the scoring in midweek as Manchester City usurped Arsenal on the league table following a 3-1 win and without doubt, it’s now theirs to lose despite the Gunners having a game in hand against Everton.

It’s not all rosy for Forest but it is not as dire as it is for the likes of Leeds United, Everton, Bournemouth, and Southampton with Steve Cooper’s side sitting pretty in fourteenth and six good points clear of the Toffees in 18^th.

Nottingham Forest lost 2-0 away at Craven Cottage last weekend and that was their first loss in a while; The Cityzens won’t leave much behind for the hosts to dream but it would be an opportunity for them to cause another upset after beating Liverpool at the City Ground.

It won’t be a piece of news even if City hammers Forest as they did in the first leg where Haaland and Alvarez hit hattricks each but the tabloids will have a filled day if somehow, Steve Cooper’s side earns a point against the champions.

Nottingham will defend deep but that guarantees nothing, City will go at them like hungry lions but with the champions league in midweek, which is expected to be the priority of Pep Guardiola’s side, can Forest expect some soft touch?

Brenan Johnson and whomever Cooper picks to partner him upfront can benefit from the uncertainties that have ruled the City defense recently; the champions can’t keep a clean sheet for supper and it should be to the advantage of the hosts.

Riyad Mahrez blanked in midweek but he is still the man to watch on the flanks for the champions, this is a game for Phil Foden to rediscover his form but we don’t expect Bernardo Silva to return as left back, over to you Guardiola.

Verdict: City to hammer Forest